Heather

Pure fun – surfing bulldogs

General Musings

Sometimes in Phoenix in August, it’s just too hot to think about real estate. This is one of those days. I just couldn’t resist sharing this YouTube video that my friend Christopher Robin Baker over at Coldwell Banker sent me. Enjoy! Heather Barr is a Realtor and a happy workaholic. She eats more than someone [...]

18 August 2011 Read the full article →

Short Sell your Phoenix home

Seller Help

If you’re underwater, you’re in a very crowded, very unhappy club. Possibly tens of thousands of Phoenix homeowners are underwater. Whether you bought too much house, or carefully avoided over-extending yourself; whether you borrowed equity for vacations or for home improvements… sometimes through no fault of your own, you’re underwater on your home mortgage. If [...]

9 August 2011 Read the full article →

Scottsdale home values, 2006 to 2011

Market Analysis & Stats

We’re busy here at The Phoenix Agents, so today’s post is short and sweet. This is a chart that shows annual median home sales prices in Scottsdale in 2006 (red line) and to date in 2011 (pink line). In 2006, Scottsdale homes started the year at $575,000 (far left of red line) and finished the [...]

6 August 2011 Read the full article →

Underwater in Scottsdale. Do you need a lawyer for a short sale?

Seller Help

For a number of years, many homeowners in tony Scottsdale thought they would be insulated from the real estate crisis. For years, they were right. Not any longer. In general, Scottsdale median home prices are down about 43% from their peak in late 2006. Many Scottsdale homeowners are “underwater”, owing more on their home than [...]

4 August 2011 Read the full article →

Mortgage interest rates plunge on debt deal news

Mortgages

From one of my favorite loan officers, Gary Ogami at Pinnacle Peak Lending, Inc. comes the news that mortgage interest rates just hit year-long lows: …rates are now at the year’s lows, and are only slightly above the all-time lows we saw almost one year ago. The passage of a debt ceiling and deficit reduction [...]

2 August 2011 Read the full article →

Are the ‘assessed value’ and market value related?

Market Analysis & Stats

In short, the answer to this question is “no”. Disclaimer: this answer applies to metro Phoenix, Arizona in the year 2011, where I work as a full-time Realtor. If you’re reading this long after publication or from another location, please consult a professional in your area. In other words, I am a Realtor but I [...]

27 July 2011 Read the full article →

Most expensive REO

Central Phoenix

Here it is, folks, the most expensive REO bank owned foreclosure home currently for sale in the metro Phoenix, Arizona MLS database. For a mere $18 million, this estate can be yours. Seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, and over 17,000 square feet of living space. The home boasts two swimming pools, a billiard room, 3 [...]

25 July 2011 Read the full article →

AMC Esplanade 14 movie theater will re-open as posh Fork & Screen

In The News

Biltmore-area movie-goers have undoubtedly noticed that the  AMC Esplanade 14 movie theater at 2512 E Camelback Road has been closed down this summer.  In August, the Esplanade will reopen as the latest site of AMC’s newest concept, the upscale Fork & Screen. With this renovation, AMC is trying to attract the posh “dinner and a [...]

23 July 2011 Read the full article →

California says “no” to lender lawsuits after short sales

In The News

Holy cow! The California legislation just passed a law preventing banks and other lenders from suing homeowners for unpaid mortgage balances after the lender agrees to a short sale. (hat tip, Kris Berg of the San Diego Castles blog). The way I read it, the new California law also prevents the lender(s) from requiring the [...]

18 July 2011 Read the full article →

The difference between Bank Owned, Foreclosure, REO, and Short Sale

Foreclosures

The low-down on the difference between short sales and REO foreclosures (bank owned) properties.

6 July 2011 Read the full article →

27% of Americans would consider “walking away”

Foreclosures

A recent survey by home finance company Fannie Mae found that while only about 27% of homeowners would even consider walking away, that’s up from 15% last year. Read the original CNN Money article here – http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/07/real_estate/walk_away_mortgage/index.htm Heather Barr is a Realtor and a happy workaholic. She eats more than someone her size ought to [...]

5 July 2011 Read the full article →